By: Mustapha Jarju &
Aminata AP Ceesay
Chinese Embassy in the Gambia, on Wednesday, 26th July 2023, delivered admission letters to 10 Gambian Students who gained a Chinese Government Scholarship to study in China.
The delivery of the letters to the lucky students was held at the China Embassy in Bijilo.
The Ceremony was graced by high government officials including the Minister of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, chairperson of the Scholarship Advisory Committee, the Chinese embassy to the Gambia together with the 10 scholarship awardees as well as their family members.
Speaking at the event, the Chinese Ambassador to the Gambia H.E. LIU JIN said the bilateral relationship between the Gambia-China relations made great progress and cooperation in various areas key of which is the educational aspect of it.
“Education and people-to-people exchanges are an important part of China-Gambia friendly cooperation, as well as a bridge and bond for the relationship of the two countries,” he stated.
He added that more than two hundred and eighty (280) Gambian students have received scholarships to study in China, one hundred and fifty-five (155) graduates have returned to the Gambia for further development, and one hundred are studying in China now.
“The Gambia is undergoing political transition and economic recovery and has needed for economic development, so in this way, you are the hope of the Gambia´s economic and social development,” Ambassador LIU tells the Gambian scholarship awardees.
Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education Research Science and Technology, expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for awarding the scholarship to the ten Gambians.
He added that China is among the leading nations in higher education and no country can be developed without its youth the Gambia government is very concerned about that and that is why we are now re-modeling our education.
He advised the students to take good care of the opportunity, because the Chinese government is ready to support the Gambia as a country, noting years back China was sending its people to go out for training and now the Gambia is sending its people to go out and learn from other countries after which they should come back to develop their country with the knowledge gained.
On his part, AlieuBitae, one of the scholarship awardees speaking on behalf of his colleagues thanked the government of the People´s Republic of China and the government of the Gambia for giving them such an opportunity to further their education in China.
“The scholarship is not only a financial aid to us but a symbol of faith in our potential, and we assure you that we will strive to exceed all expectations as we embark on a journey that will not only shape our future but also strengthen the everlasting friendship between The Gambia and the People´s Republic of China.”
